LOCATION:

Cambodia occupies an area of 181,035 square kilometers and is located on the Indochina Peninsula, bordering Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The Gulf of Thailand is off the west coast. The country lies mainly on a large alluvial plain ringed by mountains and the Mekong River. In the center of the plain is Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia which is a natural storage lake for the Mekong River via the Tonle Sap River.

CITIES:

Phnom Penh, the capital, has a population of approximately 1.5 million. Other major cities are Battambang, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampong Cham, Kandal, Prey Veng, Takeo, Kompong Thom, Svay Rieng, and Kompong Speu.

CLIMATES:   

Located entirely in the tropics, Cambodia enjoys sunshine almost year-round, though the southwest monsoon rainy season between May and October can bring severe flooding. Each of the three seasons (rainy, cool, and dry & hot) has its own distinct characteristics and refreshing weather changes. The average temperature is 27 degrees C. The minimum
temperature is about 16 degrees during the cool season in the mountains. Although there are actually three seasons, technically there are two: the southwest monsoon (rainy season) and the northeast monsoon (dry season). Daily high temperatures range from 27-35 degrees C year-round, with humidity up to 90%. The hottest month is April, when the temperature can reach 38-40 degrees C. The cool, dry season (December-February) features comfortable temperatures ranging from 17-27 degrees C (night-day). December
and January are the coolest months.

POPULATION:   

The population of Cambodia is approximately 10 million. The Khmer ethnic group onstitutes 90-95% of it. The population also includes a diversity of ethnic backgrounds: Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham (Muslims) and hilltribes called Khmer Loeu.

RELIGION:     

The official religion of Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism, which is also practiced in neighboring Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Theravada Buddhism was introduced into Cambodia in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The sight of saffron-robed monks is common throughout the Kingdom and almost every village has a Buddhist temple.

LANGUAGE:

The language spoken in Cambodia is Khmer, while the second language (spoken by the older, educated Cambodians) is French. In reality, English has replaced French as Cambodia's second language.

CURRENCY:

 Cambodian currency is the "riel." However, US dollars are widely accepted and even required for purchasing upscale lodgings and other services and products. Travellers cheques in US dollars can be changed at most banks in Phnom Penh. If you are travelling to the countryside, it is advisable to bring both riels and US dollars in small denominations. In
some very small villages, only riels may be accepted by vendors, though the US dollar is almost universally accepted.

RIVERS and LAKES:

The Mekong River flows through Cambodia from its northern border with Laos to the country's southeastern border with Vietnam. Phnom Penh was built in an auspicious location where the Mekong intersects with the Bassac (Mekong) and Tonle Sap Rivers. The Tonle Sap River between the Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River is noted for a unique phenomenon, as it reverses direction twice a year. During the rainy season, the Mekong become so swollen, it reverses the flow of the Tonle Sap river back toward the Tonle Sap Lake.

MOUNTAINS:

The Dongrek Mountains run along the northern border, while the Cardamom Mountains run southwest of Battambang. The Elephant Mountains run east and west southeast Phnom Penh. Phnom Aoral (1,813 meters) lies east of the capital between Kompong Chnang and Kompong Speu Provinces.

LOCAL TIME:

 + 7 hours GMT. (The same time zone as Bangkok.)

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